OSHA Inspection: CONAGRA FRESH MEATS CO. DBA NORTHERN STATES BEEF

Issued

Dec 21, 1992

Abate by

Dec 21, 1993

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
required to perform tasks involving identified ergonomic risk factors
including, but not limited to, repetitive motions, high force, and
awkward postures, resulting in stressors that had caused, were causing,
or were likely to cause cumulative trauma disorder(s):
a) Whizzard Line - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees
are exposed to the hazards of arm flexion with shoulder
abduction, ulnar deviation, radial deviation, wrist rotation,
wrist extension, wrist flexion, high repetition, and a large amount of
pinch force (left hand only), which are causing or likely to cause
cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the work table so that the accumulation of meat on
top of the work table will not change the work surface
height.
2. Redesign the whizzard knife handle so that extreme and
awkward postures are minimized.
3. Provide adjustable fixture so that the position of the
meat can be easily manipulated.
4. Redesign each work station for the operator to handle only
one type of bone.
5. Slow the line speed down.
b) Clod Puller - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of trunk flexion, arm flexion
with shoulder abduction while pulling, large amounts of pulling
force, ulnar deviation, radial deviation, wrist extension, and
wrist flexion, which are causing or likely to cause cumulative
trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Use of diverging conveyor off the main line so that
activities can be performed at a slower rate.
2. Stabilize the carcass.
3. Redesign the knife and hook so that extreme and
awkward postures are minimized.
4. Use an overhead conveyor system that adjusts the height
of the carcass as it goes down the line. This will reduce
the need for the worker to raise the hands above the head.
c) Tender Puller - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of shoulder flexion and
abduction, ulnar deviation and flexion of the wrist, frequent
extended reaches, and static loading of the upper arms and legs,
which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the knife and hook so that extreme and awkward
postures are minimized.
2. Reduce the width of the work area.
3. Separate the cutting portion of this job from the part
of the job that uses the hand to break the section of meat
into half.
4. Eliminate the tossing of meat.
d) Rotomatic Operator - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of shoulder flexion and
abduction, wrist flexion, extended reaches, twisting of trunk,
static loading of the legs and feet, and high repetition of
pinch grip, which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the work area to eliminate twisting of body.
2. Redesign the conveyor where meat is placed so it is slanted
towards the employee.
3. Slow the line speed down.
4. Provide sit/stand stool.
5. Automate the operation.
e) Round Hindshank Boner - the evaluation of this task indicates
that employees are exposed to the hazards of flexion and ulnar
deviation of the wrist, extended reaches, and high levels of
static loading on the shoulder and upper arms, which are causing
or likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the knife and hook so that extreme and awkward
postures are minimized.
2. Use an overhead conveyor system that adjusts the height
of the meat as it goes down the line. This will reduce the
need for the  worker to raise the hands above the head.
f) Chuck Boner - the evaluation of this task indicates that employees
are exposed to the hazards of trunk flexion, shoulder flexion and
abduction, ulnar deviation and flexion of the wrist, extended reaches,
static loading in the forearm and leg, as well as high repetition and
high forces, which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Provide a mechanical pull to remove connective tissue.
2. Redesign the knife and hook so that extreme and
awkward postures are minimized.
3. Eliminate the overhead throw to the conveyor.
4. Slow the line speed down.
5. Reduce the width of the table.
g) Round Aitch Boner - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of trunk flexion, shoulder
flexion and abduction, ulnar deviation and flexion of the wrist,
extended reaches, static loading of the trunk, upper arm and
forearm, as well as high repetition and high forces, which are
causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Adjustable fixtures to allow cuts and movements to be made
easily.
2. Redesign the knife and hook so that extreme and
awkward postures are minimized.
3. Eliminate the overhead throw to the conveyor.
4. Slow the line speed down.
5. Reduce the width of the table.
h) Cleanup (Nights) - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of wrist flexion, extension,
and ulnar deviation at high repetition, which are causing or likely
to cause cumulative trauma disorders. Workers' upper arms and
shoulders are subjected to static loading, with shoulder and upper
arm flexion and abduction. Truck flexion and extended reaches are
occasionally observed.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Provide better coupling for water hose so that extreme
and awkward postures are minimized.
2. Change the work methods to reduce extreme postures of
the wrist.
i) Round Rehang - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of upper arm and shoulder
flexion, truck flexion, and extended reaches, which are causing or
likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Adjust the work surface height.
2. Reduce the width of the work area.
3. Eliminate the throw to overhead conveyor.
j) Saw Forequarter (Horizontal Saw) - the evaluation of this task
indicates that employees are exposed to the hazards of trunk flexion,
vibration, extended reaches, and static loading of the trunk and
upper arm, which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Increase the work surface height.
2. Suspend the horizontal saw properly.
3. Redesign the handles so the extreme and awkward postures
are minimized.
4. Stabilize the meat.
k) Tender Trimmer - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of upper arm flexion with
shoulder abduction, extended reaches, ulnar deviation and flexion
of the wrist, and high repetition, which are causing or likely to
cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the knife and hook so that extreme and awkward
postures are minimized.
2. Eliminate the throw to the overhead conveyor.
l) Pull Off (Cuts) - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees
are exposed to the hazards of shoulder abduction, as well
as flexion and ulnar deviation of the wrist, which are causing or
likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the hook so that extreme and awkward postures
are minimized.
2. Locate the bins properly or use a combination of slides and
bins so that workers do not have to toss the meat.
3. Slow the line speed down.
m) Contamination Trim (Hinds) - the evaluation of this task
indicates that employees are exposed to the hazards of shoulder
flexion, extended reaches, and static loading of the shoulders,
which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the workstation to accommodate the heights and reach
limitations of the employees.
2. Redesign the knife so that extreme and awkward postures
are minimized.
n) Combo Watcher (Ice Combos) - the evaluation of this task
indicates that  employees are exposed to the hazards of trunk
flexion, shoulder flexion, and flexion and radial deviation of the
wrist, which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the ice bin to accommodate the heights and reach
limitations of the employees.  Some examples of more
appropriate
bins include shallow bins, inclined bins or bins with
a flip or drop side which may simplify access to the ice.
2. Redesign the scoop so that extreme and awkward postures are
minimized.
o) Packers (Ribeyes) - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of extended reaches, upper arm
flexion, twisting of the trunk, and static loading of upper arm and
hands, which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Reduce the width of the work table.
2. Redesign the workplace to accommodate the heights and reach
limitations of various-sized workers.
p) Supervac Operator - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of high abduction of both
shoulders, flexion of the forearm, and occasional extended
reaches,
which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Provide adjustable platforms for workers to adjust
themselves
to appropriate work height.
2. Redesign the work area to accommodate the heights and reach
limitations of various-sized workers.
q) Saw Chuck, Arm & Brisket (Circular Saw) - the evaluation of
this task indicates that employees are exposed to the hazards of
ulnar deviation and flexion of the wrist, and static loading of
the back, which are causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma
disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Use an overhead conveyor system that adjusts the height
of the rib cage as it goes down the line.
2. Redesign the handle of the tool so that extreme and awkward
postures are minimized.
3. Stabilize the meat.
r) Rib Boner - the evaluation of this task indicates that employees
are exposed to the hazards of arm flexion with shoulder abduction,
arm extension with abduction, trunk flexion, extended reach, high
force needed to pull layers apart, static loading on shoulder and
lower back, repetition, overhead throw, ulnar deviation, and flexion
with supination/pronation, which are causing or likely to cause
cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Separate the pulling portion of this task from the part
of the task that separates the meat from the rib. For
example,
the first person would pull the meat from the bone,
and a second would trim the meat from the rib.
2. Redesign the knife and hook so that extreme and
awkward postures are minimized.
3. Eliminate the overhead throw.
4. Provide adjustable platforms for workers to adjust
themselves
to appropriate work height.
5. Reduce the width of the work area.
s) Bull Necks Trim - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of ulnar deviation, radial
deviation, flexion and extension while trimming, high repetition,
and shoulder flexion with abduction while throwing, which are
causing or likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1. Redesign the knife and hook so that extreme and
awkward postures are minimized.
2. Locate the bins properly so that workers do not have to toss
the meat.
3. Provide adjustable platforms for workers to adjust
themselves
to appropriate work height.
4. Provide sit/stand stools for the task.
t) Bone Thrower - the evaluation of this task indicates that
employees are exposed to the hazards of shoulder flexion and
abduction, and ulnar deviation of the wrist which are causing or
likely to cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Examples of engineering controls applicable to this workplace
include:
1.   Relocate the work station relative to the return
conveyor
to eliminate the overhead position and allow the use of
chutes for the transfer.
2.   Provide a mechanical means of transferring bones back
to the return conveyor.

Issued

Dec 21, 1992

Abate by

Dec 21, 1993

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
was  free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees who
sustained cumulative trauma disorder(s) (CTDs) were exposed to
increased
risk of aggravation to existing injuries and illnesses and
developing further injuries and illnesses by medical and management
staff improperly assigning restricted duty tasks, by establishing
incentive pay jobs in which incentive pay is lost if employees are
placed on restricted duty, by not providing proper medical management
of CTD cases to allow for significant symptom resolution, or by
discriminating
against employees who are experiencing CTD sysmptoms or are
placed on restricted duty:
a)   Employee(s) experienced continued pain, aggravation of their
initial illness and/or a new illness due to inappropriate
assignment
of restricted duty tasks.  Employee(s) experienced continued
pain, aggravation of their initial illness and/or a new illness
due to restricted duty instructions not being followed once the
employee(s) returned to the line.
b)   Employee(s) delayed reporting their symptoms, declined light
duty or requested to be returned to full duty prior to symptom
resolution, due to the current incentive pay policy.  The current
policy is that if incentive pay employee(s) are placed on
restricted
duty, the affected employee(s) no longer receive
incentive
pay, however, the employee(s) are allowed to receive their
base pay.
c)   Employee(s) were experiencing signs and symptoms which had
not completely been resolved prior to returning to full duty.
d)   Employee(s) experienced exacerbated symptoms due to delayed
reporting of symptoms to the health care providers because
supervisors
required employee(s) to seek medical attention on their own
time.  Employee(s) experienced signs and symptoms when they failed
to report symptoms to their supervisor because of supervisor
threats to fire the employee(s).  Supervisors have assigned
employee(s) tasks which aggravated their existing CTD conditions;
the tasks were assigned in retaliation for reporting CTDs and
assignment of restrictions by health care providers.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method
to correct this hazard is the implementation of a comprehensive
and effective medical management program for CTDs.
General
The medical management program is to be established under the
guidance of an appropriately qualified medical expert.  It will
include:
1.   All employees visiting the plant medical facility to
report injuries or illnesses will be asked whether their
medical condition is caused or aggravated by work.  Where the
employee states that the injury or illness is work-related,
and that the case otherwise meets the criteria for recording,
the case will be entered on the OSHA log pending final
determination of causation.
2.   Educate all employees, supervisors, and foremen on the
early signs and symptoms of CTDs and encourage the reporting
of such signs and symptoms to the medical department.
The physicians providing medical services to the company's
employees
need to be trained in the recognition, evaluation, and
treatment
of CTDs.  All health care providers providing medical
services
should show evidence of having attended a course or seminar
dealing with CTDs, such as a 2 or 3 day seminar as a minimum.
New employees will be given the opportunity to condition their
muscles and tendon groups prior to working at full capacity
(minimum 1 week).  In addition, a CTD examination will be
performed
on all production employees 1 month after assignment and
annually thereafter.
3.   The institution of a formal, documented tracking and
surveillance program to monitor CTD trends in the plant and
those employees having contracted a CTD to ensure adherence
to the above parameters.  This will also provide information
about the effectiveness of other aspects of the employer's
program in decreasing the number and severity of CTD cases.
4.   Employees shall not be discriminated against because
they reasonably request and visit the medical facilities or
because they have diagnosed CTD problems and are undergoing
medical rehabilitation.
5.   The institution of a formal job rotation program.
Preventive Measures
1.   Providing employees with early physician evaluation of
CTD symptoms.
2.   Allowing time off work or assigning alternate and/or
light duty jobs for all muscle/tendon groups to heal after a
CTD is diagnosed.  The exact number of days off work and/or
alternate job assignments is subject to each worker's
individual
response and should be determined by the physician.
A physician must sign off prior to an employee being
reassigned
to a job identified as posing high ergonomic risk
factors.  All alternate and/or light duty jobs shall be
analyzed to ensure parallel stressors do not exist.
3.   The utilization of appropriate health care providers to
develop and implement conservative treatment measures upon
detection of CTD symptoms.  It is encouraged that several
physicians be available for employee referral and that
employees be given the opportunity to see the physician of
their choosing.
Treatment of CTD Cases
1.   Health care providers assigning alternate or light duty
jobs will ensure that the affected worker is assigned a job
that will not further exacerbate the injury or illness.
Abatement Note: Implementation of an effective medical
management program for ergonomics, addressing the specific
deficiencies listed in instances a - d, as listed above would
satisfy abatement.